Turkey arrests hundreds of irregular migrants in several cities

Turkey has arrested hundreds of irregular immigrants in several Western cities, the coast guard command announced on Sunday.

Twenty-four irregular migrants were brought ashore after their boat was found adrift due to engine failure off the coast of Ayvacik, in Turkey's Canakkale province.

The foreign nationals were taken to the Ayvacik deportation center after processing.

Separately, 122 irregular migrants were apprehended off the coast of Bodrum district, in Turkey's Mugla province, in the Aegean region.

Turkish coast guard boats were dispatched to the area several times after detecting irregular migrants aboard a sailboat and an inflatable boat, according to a statement from the coast guard command.

The irregular migrants were handed over to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.

In addition, two people were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking.

In addition, 15 irregular migrants were apprehended off the coast of Ayvacik.

The foreign nationals were disembarked and taken to the Ayvacik deportation center after processing.

Another 139 irregular migrants, including 49 children, were apprehended off the coast of Urla, Cesme and Dikili districts in Turkey's Aegean province of Izmir.

Turkish Coast Guard teams were dispatched to areas off the coasts of Urla and Cesme after receiving reports of irregular migrants in rubber dinghies.

Teams stopped three rubber boats, capturing 117 irregular migrants, including 45 children.

The Coast Guard's mobile radar (MORAD-10) detected a group of irregular migrants in an inflatable boat off the coast of Dikili.

Coast guard teams were sent to the site and apprehended 22 irregular migrants, including four children.

A suspect believed to be a migrant smuggler was also arrested.

After processing, the irregular migrants were sent to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.

Another 62 irregular migrants, including 18 children, were apprehended off the coast of Bodrum and Marmaris districts in Turkey's Mugla province.

According to a statement from the Coast Guard Command, the Coast Guard Mobile Radar (MORAD-16) detected a group of irregular migrants on a sailboat off the coast of Bodrum.

Teams stopped the ship as it headed to Italy and apprehended 52 irregular migrants, including 15 children, as well as two suspected migrant smugglers.

In Namlialan Bay, Marmaris District, Mugla Province, information was received about a group of irregular migrants seeking help in an area inaccessible by land.

Coast guard boats and teams from the command of the Bozburun gendarmerie station were dispatched to the site.

Teams apprehended 10 irregular migrants, including three children.

The irregular migrants were handed over to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.

In addition, two people were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking.